Objectives

Part 1 – Basic Principles

What

The objective of Bath Cycling Campaign is to promote and encourage responsible cycling in the Bath area.

Why

Cycling brings many benefits, for cyclists and also for the wider community:

Fewer car journeys, so less pollution and less road congestion

Improved health and fitness

Quieter, safer neighbourhoods

Cycling is fun and sociable

How

Cycling can be encouraged by:

Creating a comprehensive network of cycle paths

Increasing the number and quality of cycle parking facilities.

Reallocating road space from motor vehicles to cyclists and pedestrians

Increasing safety for cyclists and pedestrians

Providing cycle training, for children and adults

Promoting the image of cycling

Providing more information about cycling facilities

Setting up Bicycle User Groups within workplaces

Targets

Bath Cycling Campaign wants:

To see cycling increase to 10% of journeys.

B&NES to allocate 5% of their transport budget to cycling, with more council officers dedicated to promoting cycling.

To see the proper inclusion of cycling, walking and sustainable transport within all B&NES departments, plans and policies.

Methods

Bath Cycling Campaign will achieve these objectives by:

Publicising and promoting our organisation and its objectives, including press events and demonstrations

Recruiting members to join us and play an active part in the campaign

Lobbying council members and officers, politicians, policy-makers and planners, media, and business.

Organising bike rides and events to promote cycling

Collaborating with other organisations with compatible aims

Part 2 – Supporting Details

Fact: Over 25% of all trips are less than 2 miles long and could easily be made by bike by any averagely fit person.

Cycling is not only an enjoyable leisure activity, but also a good means of transport for everyday trips to work, school, shops, leisure or entertainment venues.

Cycling can be part of the solution to a number of the problems that face our community and our world. Increased cycling even brings benefits for non-cyclists.

Road Congestion

Congestion increases journey time and air pollution, and is bad for businesses. More bikes and fewer cars means less congestion, and more road space for essential vehicles such as public transport.

Health & Obesity

Fact: Three-quarters of adults are now overweight and 22% are obese. England has witnessed the fastest growth in obesity in Europe and child obesity has tripled in 20 years.

Cycling can provide just the kind of regular exercise that people need to keep themselves fit.

Children especially can benefit from cycling. A considerable amount of peak hour traffic is “the school run”. If more children cycled to school instead, they would not only be healthier, but peak-hour congestion would be significantly reduced too. Good fitness habits learned in childhood are more likely to lead to improved fitness throughout life. This brings a healthier population, with fewer demands on healthcare services.

Air Pollution and Climate Change

Fact: One in eight children now suffer from asthma, a condition exacerbated by air pollution.

The bicycle makes no contribution to air pollution or greenhouse gases. So when there are more bikes and fewer cars, everyone benefits from cleaner air and less impact on the climate.

Road Safety

Fact: About 1,800 people are killed and 190,000 injured by vehicles in the UK each year.

A road environment that is safer for cyclists would be safer for pedestrians and car passengers too. Safety for cyclists can be improved in the following ways:

Proper enforcement of existing traffic laws, especially speed limits

Lower speed limits

Cycle-friendly traffic calming

Cycle provision/priority at junctions

Proper maintenance of road and cycle path surfaces

Road closures to prevent rat-running

Changes in the law to give increased rights to vulnerable road users

10% of journeys

Fact: The UK Government created a National Cycling Strategy with a target of 10% of journeys by bike by 2012.

Fact: In Denmark, where it’s windier and colder, 20% of journeys are made by bike. In Switzerland, where it’s hillier, 10% of trips are by bike. In Bath the figure is only 2%.

A target of 10% of journeys by bike in the Bath area is perfectly reasonable.

Cycle routes network

To encourage more people to begin cycling we must offer them alternative routes away from the threat of heavy traffic. Cycle routes should be well signposted and include all the places that people commonly travel to, including work, shopping and leisure trips. Cycle routes should also include tourist attractions, to encourage more cycle tourism into the area.

Cycle parking

There should be adequate cycle parking at all major trip destinations, including shopping, employment, schools and colleges, railway stations, leisure and entertainment venues.

All new developments, both residential and commercial, should include adequate secure cycle parking.

B&NES and its predecessor have been talking for years about improving conditions for cyclists so more people go by bike. We’ve waited long enough. We want change now!